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On the rise: Lewis Jetta

James Dampney
Jan 11, 2013 10:05AM

Lewis Jetta is one of the Swans' genuine match-winners

On the rise: Lewis Jetta

At a glance: Drafted with the 14th selection in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, Jetta became renowned the following year for kicking 19 straight behinds before finally registering his first AFL goal against Hawthorn in round 19. He then made 20 appearances the following year but was a regular substitute and failed to make the team during that year's finals series. But in 2012 he made an extraordinary transformation, leading the club with 45 goals for the year, and was widely considered unlucky to miss out on All Australian selection. With his scintillating pace, he proved a nightmare match-up for opposition sides and was a vital cog in the Swans' premiership-winning machine.

Plays like: There are very few players who can match Jetta's skill set. Those such as Essendon great Michael Long were blessed with similar pace, but the Sydney Swan is a unique talent. Jetta manages to appear like he's barely putting in his top effort when on the run, yet he manages to keep a seemingly perpetual two-metre gap to whoever has the unfortunate task of trying to pursue him.

Killer quality: Clearly, his pace. Over his short time in the AFL, there is yet to be a player that has shown an ability to chase down the fleet-footed Swan. This was perhaps best illustrated in the 2012 Grand Final, when Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli put in a forlorn chase as Jetta galloped down the wing at the MCG.

Best performance: Recognised across the competition for his pace and agility, Jetta wasn't regarded as any sort of ball magnet. But against Adelaide in round six, he showed just how dangerous he can be. Garnering a career-high 27 disposals, Jetta was unstoppable as he tore the Crows to shreds at the SCG. Throw in seven marks, four tackles, two goals and even four free kicks in his favour and the youngster put in his most complete performance of the season.

What they say: "He has taken his consistency to another level. In some of the average games, he has still been able to contribute either by pressure acts or kicking goals. He now has the confidence to play real good, strong, hard, two-way football and gives us areal spark and bite. He has certainly improved. We are pleased at what he has been able to do. It has been a huge jump.'' - Swans coach John Longmire.

Stats that matter:
1st in goals (45.17)
7th in total kicks (278 @ 11.1 per game)
7th in total marks (84 @ 3.4 per game)
9th in Dream Team average (74.9 per game)
12th in total tackles (69 @ 2.8 per game)